Overview
- Police estimated about 6,500 people gathered for the outdoor watch party outside Madison Square Garden and took 26 people into custody, with 17 arrested and nine issued criminal summonses.
- Officers reported an injured policeman who was treated and released and said arrests included assault, counterfeit‑merchandise sales and one person charged with possessing a loaded firearm.
- The NYPD had warned fans and deployed roughly 1,000 officers to city watch parties after earlier rowdiness near the arena, including incidents of fans climbing on emergency vehicles and lamp posts.
- Officials said crowds blocked traffic on Seventh and Eighth avenues, climbed on vendor carts and subway entrances, and refused orders to leave, and the department is continuing an investigation into the disturbances.
- City leaders have allowed official watch parties after reversing a prior permit denial, and officials now face pressure to balance fan access with stricter enforcement and added policing costs.